Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-07-30
THE MAD LOVER.
BY g. WALDO BROWNE.

BY g. WALDO BROWNE.
ooh, Allie! forgot to tell you before
but Lang Mitchell has escaped from hi
keepers and is at liberty"
Alice Durands fair face turned pale a
her friends announcement.
"Yeu do not mean it, Bessie. You are
trying to brighten me-"
@No; am not, Alice. Mad Lang Mitchell
has really escaped from the B-asylum
and as late as noon to- day he had not beer
found. But there, don't look SO white; yor
nor 1 have nothing to fear. I had forgotten
he was one of your discarded suitors
Singular, wasn't it, your rejection should
have driven him crazy?"
"Bessie West!" exclaimed the other, re.
proachfully; show can you speak so?
gave Mr.. Mitchell to understand from the
first that he could not win my favor. Still
he would press his suit, until I became
engaged to Frank Lane, when positively
refused to see him. He went away utter.
ing such fearful threats that I can never
forget them. You know that insanity il
hereditary in the family. Lang had {
sister in Dr.. SIS private asylum when he
used to visit me, and he appeared at times
to lose his reason. I always feared him
but I never cared for him. I feel for him
in his affection, but am certainly in ne
way to blame. There, mother will be look.
ing for me, and must hasten home"
II will 60 with you, Allie"
ooh, no; you need not. am not afraid.
Slut it is awful lonesome through Black
hollow woods, and if you should meet
Lang"
"Nonsense, Bess West; I will show you
that am not afraid" and with light
laugh she started homeward, leaving hel
friend to anxiously watch her departure.
Allie was somewhat startled to find thai
the sun had set, and that night was fast
creeping on. But rather than to be laughed
at after Boosting of her courage, she re-
solved not to turn back.
The truth was, Bessie's careless speech
had wounded her feelings sorely, and as she
walked along her mind became engrossed
with unpleasant thoughts Of Lang Mitchell,
the escaped lunatic.
His misfortune was certainly not charge
able to her, through she could not help
wishing that different fate might have
been his.
Filled with these conflicting meditations
she hardly realized her progress until
reaching Black Hollow, one of the most
gloomy spots to be found in that vicinity.
Under the somber woods it was already
quite dark.
She quickened her steps as she came
within the shadows of the overhanging for.
est that lined the road on either hand.
She had not advanced far, however.
when the sound of footsteps fell upon her
ears!
CHANGING wildly over her shoulder she
saw to her terror that some one was follow
ing her.
With second glance she saw that her
worst fears were realized.
1T ,cas mad Lang MITCHELL
Seeming to divine her discovery, he gave
utterance to shriil, maniacal laugh, which
made Ter blood curdle and heart fairly
cease its beating.
Her first thought was to cry for help; but
in that lonely place she could not hope for
an answer to her appeal.
With wild, agonizing scream she fed
for life.
His frantic cries making the evening air
hideous, the mailman rushed in pursuit.
Terror seemed to lend wings and strength
to the fleeing girl, who sped on like q
hunted fawn, expecting to be overtaken at
every bound Of her wild pursuer.
But he proved clumsy runner. and at
first she outdistanced him. Her hopes be-
gan to rise as she began to feel that it was
possible for her to escape him.
His superior strength, however. soon be-
gan to count in his favor. She began to
lose ground!
His cries grew moro frequent and terrible.
She had passed the darker portion of the
way and was nearing the edge Of the for.
est; but her home was still half mile
away. and it was the first house on the
roadl
Perhaps We should except one old
dwelling that stood close to the woods,
which had not been occupied for years,
and the walls OF which were fast yielding
to the inroads Of time.
Az the hunted maiden came in night OF
de deserted building she resolved ~ her
Snly alternative to sesk itsshsltor.
Thar vas - tum n ~ soAd Tor .